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Patented Apr. 5, 1892.

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No. 472,244. Patented Apr. 5, 1892.

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FRANCIS `EDW'ARD DYKE ACLAND AND CARL HOLMSTRM, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

GUN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 472,244, dated April 5, 1892. Application led March 25, 1891. Serial No. 383,403. (No model.)

T all whom, Iltmay concern:

Be it known that we, FRANCIS EDWARD DYKE ACLAND, late captain Royal Artillery, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, and CARL HOLMSTRM, engineer, a subject of the King of Sweden and Norway, both residents of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Quick-Firing Guns, of which the following is a specication, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings.

Our invention relates to quick-tiring guns of that class wherein the breech is closed by a block or wedge arranged to slide across the end of the bore and wherein the breech mechanism is so arranged that the breech can be opened automatically by force derived from the recoil of the gun, and comprises improvements whereby we are enabled to make a gun circular in transverse section throughout its length and to dispense with lugs or other projections upon the body of the gun for supporting parts of the breech mechanism.

Our said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter described.

Our improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gun constructed according to our invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section showing the breech mechanism of the said gun with the breech open. Fig. 3 is asimilar section showing the breech closed. Fig. -l is a rear end View of the breech. Figs. 5 and 6 show side and rear views of the extractor. Figs. 7 and 8 are longitudinal and transverse sections illustrating the construction and arrangement of an automatic brake forming part of our improvements. Figs. 9 to 14 illustrate the arrangement of the hand-lever hereinafter described, in combination with the crank-shaft in our improved gun. Figs. l5 to 24. are views showing details hereinafter described. Fig. 25 is a vertical sectional view on line r2 x2 of Fig. 3.

Like letters indicate the same'parts throughout the drawings.

A is a strong elastic stand or support. B is a frame or cross-head mounted to swivel thereon.

a is a cradle constructed with two sides or cheeks provided with trunnions a', which rest in suitable bearings in the said frame or crosshead.

b is the gun proper or gun-body, which is circular in transverse section in all partsthat is to say, it is made without the usual square or rectangularbreech portion and without having formed on it any lugs or projections for the attachment of parts of the breech mechanism. Therefore the said gun can be very easily forged and finished. The gun h is supported by guide-grooves a2 in the cheeks of the cradle a and slides to and fro in the same in the recoil and ret-urn movements.

c is the breech-block.

d is the crank-shaft, and e is an arm or lever fixed thereon for` operating the breechblock. f

The breech-block c is formed as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, and opens and closes the breech by moving in the aperture or cavity formed for its reception in the body of the gun. For guiding the breech block in its movements for opening and closing the breech We construct the said block with one or more suitable guiding-ribs c on each side thereof, (see Fig. 16,) and we form the gun with similar ribs h', which work between those of the breech-block c, as shown in Fig. 15. We make the forward surfaces of the ribs c beveled or inclined and their rear surfaces very slightly inclined or undercut, and make the corresponding surfaces of the grooves in which the said ribs c slide of like form, as shown. We form the bearing-surfaces in this manner in order to obtain great resistance to shearingstresses, while making the breech-block as short as practicable, and also in order that the breech-block, by reason of the tting of the slightly-undercut rear surfaces of the ribs to the slightly-undercut grooves, may tend to hold the sides of the breech chamber or cavity together when the force of the explosion comes upon the breech-block. r

The crank-shaft d for operating the breechblock to open and close the breech is arranged in bearings in the body of the gun behind the chamber or cavity in which the breech-block slides, as clearlyshown in Figs. 2 and 3; The

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Fig. 3. The crank-arm, moreover, has a short portion at c2 bent at a right angle to its main portion and provided with a pin or stud e3. The said portion e2 of the crank-arm acts on the tail of the firing-hammer to draw back the firing-pin in the descent of the breech-block,

and which serves a further purpose hereinafter described. The said crank arm or lever e, being situated behind the breech-block, is utilized as astrut for assisting to support the said block against the force due to the explosion in the barrel. To provide for the efficient support of the said arm or lever for this purpose,a bearing for the boss or hub of the said lever is in some instances formed at g in the body of the gun. The crank arm or lever e and the breech-block c are preferably so constructed and arranged that when the breech is open the said lever and the upper part of the breech-block will serve as a loading-tray, upon which the cartridges may be placed and from -which they may be slid into the chainber of the gun.

The breech-block c carries the firing-hammer, (shown separately in side and endelevation in Figs. 17 and 1S, respectively,) one extremity of which projects into a slot h in the firing-pin.

7' is a seal', (shown separately in side and rear elevation in Figs. 19 and 20, respectively.) 7" is an auxiliary sear, (shown separately in side and rear elevation in Figs. 21 and 22, respectively.)

la is the mainspring, which is supported by the pin 7c.

Z is the trigger, and m is the extractor. The said extractor is arranged to be actuated by the breech-block in the descent to throw out the cartridge and to hold the said breechblock open until released by the insertion of a fresh cartridge in the chamber of the gun.

The searj is fitted to turn freely on a round portion of the trigger pivot-pin jz, and therefore turns without moving the said pivot-pin and cannot be actuated by the trigger, but, as hereinafter described, can be attached by the lever e. The sea-rj is fixed on a square portion of the pivot-pin, so that it can be actuated by the trigger.

It will be seen that the searj has an extension jl, which lies behind the pin or stud e3 on the crank-arm in such a position that as the crank-arm rises the pin e3 will act on the part j* of the Sear and withdraw the sear from the hook of the firing-ham mer, so thatif by means of the trigger the auxiliary sear .7" is also being held ont of engagement with the hammer the gun will be fired; but if when the scar j is pulled back by the rising of the lever e the other searj remains engaged with the hammer the gun will not be fired and the firing cannot take place till the trigger is pulled.

In the downward movement of the lever e when openin g the breech the arm e2 acts upon the tail-piece 2 of the striking-hammer and effects the cocking of the same. Moreover, should the scar-hooks be broken from any cause the gun cannot be fired until the breechblock is pressed home, because in any other position of the breech-block the tail-piece t2 of the striking-hammer would encounter the portion e2 of the crank-arm and thereby be prevented from acting.

Our said invention, moreover, com prises iinprovements whereby we obviate any liability to accidental release of the breech-block c when open by disengagement of the extractor m therefrom before the cartridge is fully inserted into the chamber of thegun. Ithas heretofore been usual to form lthe extractor with two claws to act on the rim of the cartridge in the extractionof the same and to construct the claws in one piece, so that neither can move independently of the other. Consequently if in theinsertion of a cartridge it should be by accident or want of care pushed forward somewhat obliquely, so that the point or side of the projectile strikes one of the claws, the extractor will be disengaged from the breechblock, and the latter will rise before the cartridge is pushed home; but by our invention we prevent all danger from this cause of the premature rising of the breech-block and the consequent jam ming of the cartridge between the body of the gun and the upper end of the said breech-block. For this purpose we make the said extractor double, or in two similar separate parts. These parts are mounted so that they can turn independently 0f each other about their pivot or axis. They are, however, operated simultaneously in the downward movement of the breech-block, to effect the extraction of the empty cartridge-case. For this purpose each side of the block c is provided with a projection ci", arranged to strike the lower arm or tail m of the extractor in the descent of the breech-block. The upper arm of each part of the extractor is formed with a projection or hook m2, adapted to engage with a notch c2 in the breech-block when the same is in the loading position for the purpose of restraining the said block in this position till a fresh cartridge has been properly inserted in the gun. In the insertion of a cartridge if the same moves forward in line with the guns axis the projectile and body of the cartridge will pass freely between the two claws until the flange or rim thereof strikes the said claws, the cartridge being then pushedhome and the projections on the extractor being disengaged from the breechblock, thus permitting the ascent of the said block under the action of its spring or springs; but should the cartridge be placed or moved forward obliquely or out of line with the guns axis, so that the projectile or forward end of the cartridge, instead of passing freely beloo tween the claws of the extractor to the gun,

engages with one claw only, thereby disen-` gaging one part of the extractor from the breech-block, the other part of the said extractor, not being disengaged, will prevent the premature ascent of the breech-block and the consequent jamming of the cartridge. A serious cause of inconvenience such as we have described is theliability of the extractor to be thrown forward by concussion or vibration before the block has risen to the loading position after opening the breech. To prevent this, we provide the breech-block with spring friction-pistons m3, Figs. 3, 4, and 23, which, when the block is down in its lowest position, bear upon thefaces of inclines m4 at the lower extremities of the two parts of the extractor and prevent the accidental movement of the said extractor. When the breechblock, after having thrown back the extractor, rises again to the loading position shown in Fig. 2, the said friction-pistons slide off the inclines m4, and the extractors then become locked by the engagement of the projections or hooks m2 with the notches c2.

The breech-,block c is preferably provided with a rearward extension or ange c3, which, when the breech is closed, beds in a recess b2, formed in the body of the breech, and limits the upward movement of the breech-block. (See Figs. 2, 3, and 25.)

"We mount the ring-hammer i upon a suitable pivot-pin i', which is inserted and secured in the breech-block, and we make the said hammer with an arm i2, arranged to be acted upon by the nose of the portion e2 of the crank-arm. The sear j has a hooked end jg, adapted to engage with a projection 3 on the said hammer for the purpose of retaining the same in its cocked position. The said searj has, moreover,a short arm j4,wl1ich by a-link 7'5 is connected to and acted on by the mainspring la, the other end of which spring acts upon the arm t2 of the firing-hammer. Moreover, the searj has a short arm j7 and link js, (see Fig. 21,) similar to the arm and link e7'4 and j of the searj, and the spring Zc also engages with the said link js. The said spring therefore serves to operate both the firinghammer and the sears.

Ve provide the following means, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 23, for retaining the pivotpin i of the firing-hammer in its place-that is to say, we fix on the pivot-pin 3'2 of the sear an arm jf, that projects over the head or end of the pivotpin 0l and prevents the displacement of the latter, and the said pin t" can only be taken out after the arm j has been removed.

The pivot-pin of the sear has formed or fixed thereon the trigger Z, by means of which the gun can be fired. For retaining the pivotpin t7'2 in place` in the breech-block we prefer to make the aforesaid link j in such a manner that when it is in its normal position a heel or tail piece thereon will engage with a notch or groove in the square portion of the said' pivot-pin. When, however, the mainspring is removed,the said link can be turned about the joint-pin, which connects it to the sear j, and can thus be disengaged from the notch or groove in the pivot-pin. The said pivot-pin can then be drawn out endwise through the side of the block. The mainspring, therefore, in addition to actuating the firing-hammer and sears, also'serves to retain in their proper positions the locking devices which secure the aforesaid pivot-pins in the breech-block.

For ring the gun automatically a bellcrank lever is provided, centered upon the gun at Z2 (see Fig. 24) and normally lying so that the end of its upperarm Z3 lies just above and clear of the crank-pin of the trigger Z when the breech-block is closed. The gunner, by placing his finger on the end of the lower arm Z1 of the bell-crank lever, may turn the same and cause the upper arm to act upon the trigger Z while the breech-block is rising, l

so as to release the auxiliary sear j at the moment the breech is closed.

For effecting the opening and closing of the breech by hand we provide a suitable handlever. In quick-firing guns it has been hitli- .erto usual to fix the said lever on the crankshaft. Therefore the said handle moves to and fro with the gun in its recoil and return. Ve can, if so desired, arrange the handle of our gun in like manner; but as the movement of the lever with the gun is attended with inconvenience and danger we prefer to arrange the same as follows-that is to say, the handlever is carried by the gun frame or cradle and IOC does not move with the gun in its recoil and return. Therefore, as the said hand-lever is the medium for operating the crank-shaft in opening and closing the breech by hand we have to provide for its. alternate connection with and disconnection from the said shaft, so that when the gun recoils in the cradle the shaft, which is normally in connection with the lever, will be disconnected therefrom; but when the gun is run out after recoiling the said lever will return into engagement with the said shaft and can then be used for turning the same to open or close the breech. We thus obviate the inconveniences which arise in cases wherethe hand-lever moved with the gun in the recoil. For carrying this part of our invention into practice we employ the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 9 to 14.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a side view and horizontal section with the parts in the position they occupy when the breech is closed. Fig. 10d is a section on the line Fig. 10.- Fig. 1l is a side view showing the hand-lever turned down to open the breech. Figs. 12 and 13 show a side view and horizontal section with the parts in the position they occupy when the gun has run out after recoil and the breech has been automatically opened. Figs.

We fit the boss p of the hand-lever p in a socket p2 in the side or cheek of the cradle a, which socket will be axially in line with the crank-shaft d when the gun is in its forward position. The boss is retained in the socket with a capability of turning therein by means of a screw pl, the point of which projects into a groove pim, extending partially around the boss. The end of the shaft d has a head or Collard', across the outer surface of which is formed a groove or slot d2, as shown in Fig. 13a. The boss p is fitted with a spring-catch q, arranged to enter and fit the said groove d2 and lock the hand-lever p to the shaft cl when the gun is in firing position. Then the said shaft can be turned by hand to open and close the breech and fire the gun. It will be seen that when the catch qand slot or groove d2. are in line with each other in the direction of the movement of the gun in the cradle the endwise movement of the one relatively to the other will cause the groove to pass over from the catch. Therefore when the shaft d is moved from the position shown in Fig. 9 in the recoil of the gun the said shaft will be disconnected from the hand-lever by the passing of the groove d2 away from the catch. We provide the hand-lever@ with a handle or quill p3, which is placed upon the end of the said lever and secured by a pivot-pin p4, as shown in Fig. 10, whereon it will vibrate, the said quill being allowed a slight lateral movement or play upon the shank of the hand-lever. The quill p3 is provided with a notch p5, adapted to engage with a suitable projection a3 on the gun frame or cradle,with which projection the quill is held in engagement by a spring p6. By these or other suitable devices the handlever is held with the catch in the proper position to be engaged with or disengaged from the shaft; but by a slight movement of the hand against the force of the said spring the quill can be disengaged from the projection a3 to permit the turning of the handlever.

The head or collar d has on it an incline dii, Figs. 13a and 13b, so that if the hand-lever catch should have been turned into an oblique position when the gun moves forward and the groove d2 cannot pass over the said catch the said incline will force back the catch against the resistance of its spring, while the gun moves into a position in which by turning the hand-lever the catch can snap into the said groove.

In the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13 the spring-catch q and slot cl2 are so arranged relatively to the hand-lever that when the latyter is in the position shown in Fig. 9 the said catch is in the slot and the breech is closed. Then by simply turning the hand-lever to the position shown in Fig. 1l the breech can be opened. In Figs. 12 and 13 we have shown the parts after recoil, the breech having been automatically opened and the catch q pushed back by the incline dl. In this case the handlever must first be turned to allow the catch to snap into the notch before the breech can be closed by means of the said hand-lever.

In the modification shown in Fig. 14, when the lever is in the same position as in Fig. 9 the breech is closed; but the spring-catch q, instead of beingin the notch CZ, is lying across the same. Therefore the lever must first be turned into a position to cause the catch to enter the notch and then turned downto open the breech.

In some instances one or more springs are arranged, as shown in Figsl and 24, in combination with the breech-block and crankshaft to counterbalance the weight of the said breech-block. A casing r, pivoted at one end to the cradle, contains a spring r2. One end of a rod r3 is attached to the head or collar d', forming part of the crank-shaft d, and the other end of the rod passes into the casing fr and is attached to the spring r2, so that when the crank-shaft is rotated to lower the breechblock the rod r3 is partially withdrawn from the casing r and the spring r2 is compressed. Energy is thereby stored up in the spring during the opening of the breech, which energy is available for effecting the closing of thebreech when the crank-shaft is released or for assisting to close the breech.

In guns provided with a shoulder piece or crutch for enabling the gunner to control the .movement of the gun in pointing or aim-v ing the same an undue proportion of the weight of the gun is sometimes thrown upon the gunner by reason of the rapid change in the position of the center of gravity of the gun relatively to the trunnions or bearings in the recoil of the gun in its outer frame or cradle, whereby preponderance of the part of the gun in rear of the trunnions or bearings is considerably increased. To obviate this inconvenience, we provide a friction device or brake, whereby from the time the gun commences its recoil until it returns to the firing position the said brake will be automatically applied and will resist the turning of the gun and its slide or cradle about the trunnions or cradle and permit the same to be freely turned to effect the vertical pointing or elevation of the gun. This friction device or brake is clearly illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

a is a part of the cradle. ss are two blocks fitted in a sockett therein, as shown. u u are springs arranged between the said blocks. The upper block sis capable of vertical movement in the socket and supports a roller c, as shown. The lower block is formed with an arcshaped bearing-piece s2, having preferably taper sides and fitted in or between corresponding bearin g-surfacesin the cross-head in which the gun and its slide or cradle are supported. When the gun is in the firing position, the roller U rests within an inclined or curved recess Z9* in the body of the gun. When, however, the gun recoils, the inclined or curved surface on the rear side of the recess acts as a cam upon the said roller and forcesit down IOO IIO

Vrecoil an d return.

with the block s against the resistance of the springs a, thus causing pressure and friction between the said arc-shaped taper bearingsurfaces and also between the trunnions, while allowing the gun to move freely in its The brake continues to act until the gun returns to its firing position, when the said roller again enters the recess in the gun and releases the pressure, so that the gun and cradle can be freelyturned about the trunnions.

Our improved gun is provided with one or more suitable recoil-brakes and recuperators, and, if desired, with suitable elevating and training gear.

Our improved gun, as shown in the accompanying drawings, can be operated either automatically or by hand for opening the breech, and consequently cooking and firing the gun and extracting the empty cartridge case. When operated automatically, we prefer that the breech should be opened in the running out of the gun to the firing position. For this purpose we provide a stop lever or pawl w,which is pivoted to the gun frame or cradle preferably below the gun, as shown at w in Fig. 1, and which is also illustrated in detail in Figs. 9, 11,12,l3,13,13b, and 14, and which is acted upon by spring or springs w?, which tend constantly to force the lever or pawl upward, whereby as the gun returns the said pawl is caused to engage with the hooked end d? of the head or collar d', lixed upon the crank d, and thus by the motion of the gun relatively to the pawl effects the turning of the said shaft d about its axis' to open the breech. The said head or collar d is provided with a projection or cam d4, which when the collar has been rotated sufficiently to open the breech presses on the stop lever or pawl and disengages the same from'the hook d3, so that after the insertion of a fresh cartridge the block c can be raised to close the breech.

'We claiml. The combination,with the gun b and the breech-block c, of a shaft d, supported in bearings in the body of the gun in rear of the breech-cavity,a crank arm or lever @,iixed on the shaft d, pins or projections e on the arm or lever e, straight grooves j' and circular grooves f for the projections c to work in, the latter grooves being so formed in the breech-block asto be concentric with the axis d when the breech is closed and passing at their upper ends into straight grooves approximately parallel with the axis of the gun, so that when the breech-block is closed the pins c can be moved to rest in the angle formed by the curved and straight portions of the said grooves f all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the gun b, the breech-block c, the arm or lever c for operating the breech-block, and pins or projections e on the said arm or lever adapted to bear in a curved groove f', formed in the breech-block when the breech is closed, of a cylindrical boss formed around the axis of the lever e, and a bearing-surface g, formed in the rear end of the gun and fitting closely to the said boss, as and for the purpose specified.

3.` In a quick-firing gun, the tiring mechanism comprising, in combination with each other, the firing-pin h, the firing-hammer t, the spring k, the trigger l, the lever e, having a pin or projection e3 at its extremity, and the 4two sears jj, one of which is iixed on the trigger-pivot and the other of which can turn on, but independently of, the trigger-pivot, and is formed with a projecting finger 3*, adapted to engage with the projection e3, all substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. The combination, with the gun b and the breech-block c, of an extractor m, formed in two similar parts, which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the breech of the gun and which are each provided with a hook or projection fm2, adapted to engage with notches c2 on the breech-block c, as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination, with the breech-block c, of projections 0*, formed thereon, and an extractor m, formed in two similar parts, each of which has a tail-piece m and a hook or projection m2, the said tail-piece being acted upon by the projection c* when the breechblock descends, and the projection m2, when the extractor is thrown back, entering notches c2 in the breech-block to lock the same in the loading position, the said two similar parts of the extractor being independent `of each other, substantial] y as described, for the purpose speciiied.

6. The combination, with the breech-block c, of the extractor m, having inclines m4 formed at its lower extremities and arranged in cornbination with spring friction-pistons m3, which engage with the said inclines m4 when the breech is open, substantially as set forth, for the purpose specified. l

7. The combination ofthe firing-hammer t, mounted on a pivot i', the trigger Z, a Sear. j, mounted loosely on the trigger-pivot and having a projecting finger jl, a sear j', fixed on the trigger-pivot, both sears being adapted to engage with a firing-hammer, and a cranklever e., centered on a shaft d in the breech and having a pin or projection c3 at its extremity for engaging with the iinger when the lever is raised, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. The combination of the sliding breechblock c, the tiring-pin h, the firing-hammer ft', the sear j, mounted looselyr on the triggerpivot and the searj Iixed thereon, the spring lo for operating the said sears, the trigger Z, and the extractor m, consisting of two similar and symmetrically arranged independent parts, all as set forth.

9. The combination, with the gun b, which moves to and fro in a frame or cradle a, of a hand-lever p, having a boss p mounted to turn in a bearing p2 in the cradle aand which is coupled to the breech block actuating Ido IIO 

